2001 Mitsubishi MIRAGE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
31 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
63,645 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 31 complaints (22.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 9.7% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 6.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.2% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 |
| Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments | 6 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 1 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 7; Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments: 6; Air Bags:Frontal: 3; Unknown Or Other: 2; Air Bags: 1; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 1; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Horn: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 15 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 8 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2001: 1; 2002: 8; 2003: 4; 2004: 1; 2005: 7; 2006: 3; 2007: 2; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2012: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10110559 · 2005-02-15 (February 15, 2005)
I PURCHASED A NEW MIRAGE FROM A DEALER IN 2001. I MIGHT HAVE HAD ABOUT 53,000 MILES ON THE CAR WHEN I STARTED HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS. I DECIDED TO LOOK INTO IT AFTER I HAD MY FIRST ACCIDENT, IN WHICH I ENDED UP REAR ENDING SOMEONE. I GOT NEW TIRES AND HAD THE DAMAGE REPAIRED. ABOUT A MONTH LATER, I HAD ANOTHER ACCIDENT RESULTING IN REAR ENDING SOMEONE. THE CAR WAS MAKING FUNNY NOISES WHEN I STOPPED. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID MY BRAKE PADS WERE WORN COMPLETELY THROUGH, AS A RESULT OF MY CALIPERS FAILING TO RELEASE, WHICH ALSO WORE MY …
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10110559 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10177825 · 2007-01-04 (January 4, 2007)
I PUNCHED OUT FROM MY JOB AND GOT INTO MY CAR. I DROVE APPROXIMATELY 8 MINUTES AWAY.I WAS IN MY CAR WAITING FOR THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TO CHANGE TO GREEN. THERE WERE ABOUT 4 OR 5 CARS AHEAD OF ME.I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN MY CAR TOOK OFF LIKE A RACE CAR (VERY FAST).I APPLIED MY BRAKE AND IT FELT AS THOUGH IT DIDN'T WANT TO HOLD.I THEN APPLIED BOTH FEET TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN AN ALMOST STANDING UP POSITION TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP.IT EVENTUALLY STOPPED. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED EITHER ON DECEMBER 20TH OR DECEMBER 21ST. THE REASON I DIDN'T…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,290 miles reported. Look up ODI 10177825 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10058068 · 2004-02-13 (February 13, 2004)
WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL TOWARDS THE RIGHT IT LOCKED, CAUSING A REAR END COLLISION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10058068 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10447609 · 2012-02-09 (February 9, 2012)
2001 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REIMBURSE FOR REPAIRS RELATED TO STEERING, RATTLING AND RE-TORQUE OF WHEELS DUE TO SUSPENSION WORK.*TGW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10447609 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001235 · 2002-12-19 (December 19, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND NO WARNING THE TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP GEARS CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001235 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8002131 · 2002-01-14 (January 14, 2002)
WHILE COMING TO A STOP ENGINE STALLED, VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY DEALER BUT NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. VEHICLE HAS STALLED 2 MORE TIMES AT FIRST START.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DEALER TOLD HIM WATER IN GAS MAKES THE VEHICLE TO STALL.*YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8002131 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10296120 · 2009-12-16 (December 16, 2009)
2001 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE APPX 105,000 MILES. PURCHASED MAY 2007. VEHICLE'S FUSE BOX CAUGHT FIRE AND CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TOTALING THE CAR. NO PRIOR MECHANICAL PROBLEMS BEFORE THE EVENT OCCURRED. AFTER RUNNING ERRANDS I PULLED INTO MY APARTMENT COMPLEX'S PARKING LOT AND THE CAR SUDDENLY DIED. I TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE DID NOT EVEN TURN. I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND I SAW SMALL FLAMES COMING FROM THE FUSE BOX ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I CALLED 911 IMMEDIATELY AND THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 105,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10296120 at NHTSA ↗